Dibakar Banerjee said he is seeking "further transparency" in the institute's working
The protest of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students has crossed 35 days now but is not only targeted at chairperson Gajendra Chauhan for "lack of qualifications" but against other crucial appointments too, said director Dibakar Banerjee.
"It's important for media and people to know that the issue is not only about Gajendra Chauhan. Do not personalize this issue. Mr Chauhan and his appointment as chairman of FTII society is a side issue and only a part of the issue," Dibakar said at a press conference to support the students' viewpoint.
"The bigger concern is that along with Mr Chauhan, there were other names that were added into the FTII society. All these members have something in their biodata which make you feel that some sort of pressure is being created on an educational institute. You feel that clearly there are better, more successful film professionals who can easily come into this society. And I think their names were also proposed. But ignoring those names and selecting these four members and chairman, sparks a doubt in our minds," he said.
The
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! director said he is seeking "further transparency" in the institute's working so that more Rajkumar Hiranis and Shatrughan Sinhas among others, come out and better quality films are made from the industry.
The five concerned members of the FTII society whom students allege have contentious links while also lacking the required credentials are Anagha Ghaisas, Shailesh Gupta, Narendra Pathak, Pranjal Saikia and Rahul Solapurkar.
Other than these people, Vidya Balan and Rajkumar Hirani are also part of the society.